Exercise in Early Recovery

Banyan Blog

Incorporating Fitness into Early Recovery

When an individual is using, usually there is minimal time spent dedicated to personal health and fitness. When you are living a new life in early recovery, priorities have shifted. A common goal of recovering addicts is to repair the mind, body, and spirit. In traditional therapies, not many are geared towards physical health, so finding a way to stay active is key.

After treatment, eating three or more meals a day, most people gain weight. This is a common occurrence because most active drug-users chose their drug of choice over a well-balanced diet. Weight gain is not a bad thing, this can be the perfect motivation to make sure exercise becomes a part of your new life in early recovery.

Taking 30-45 minutes a day, being outside, throwing a ball around, taking a walk (or jog/run), or hitting the gym will drastically increase your mood and energy levels. Even if physical activity may sound like the last thing you would want to do in early recovery, just bite the nail and do it! There are so many benefits from exercise.

Sleeping Problems?

Exercise give you incredible energy during the day and actually help you sleep better at night. When exercising be careful not to start your workout too closely to your bed time because often times it can give you a burst of energy that will often be sustained for several hours, sometimes even an entire day.

Have you been looking to try meditation?

Exercise is often described as a meditation in movement. When you focus in on the movements you are making you can forget about what is going on right then in your life. Finding clarity in chaos can make your recovery more manageable.

Are you anxious or stressed out?

Leave your troubles on that hill you just climbed, or on the weight room floor. Stress your muscles instead of your mind. It will also give you an added boost of confidence and is a general mood changer. Exercise allows you to alleviate the tensions that are built up during the day from work, school, and/or just dealing with people in general.

Natural high?

Look no further. Exercise gives you that euphoric feeling naturally. Exercise will lift your mood more than any other natural element. The endorphins that are released from working out give you a natural high. After working out for a few weeks, once you start to really see the results, that feeling just increases.

When your life is manageable and enjoyable, it makes recovery that much more possible and all which make life much more manageable and enjoyable and recovery that much more possible and easier sustained. Every reason listed above make life much more manageable and enjoyable. All of the above reasons should make you want to consider adding exercise into your daily regimen. Feelings of well-being are needed for each and every individual.

If you or someone you know could benefit from recovery and would like more information call us now, we’re here to help: (888) 208-4763